IVF children score more in IQ tests

By Nick Fleming

Children born as a result of a form of IVF treatment introduced in the 1990s are more intelligent than those conceived naturally.

There had been fears that Intra-Cellular Sperm Injection (ICSI) might increase the risk of slow development and behavioural problems.

Lize Leunens, a psychologist from the Free University in Brussels, compared 151 ICSI children with a group the same size who were naturally conceived. Tests covered verbal, arithmetical, memory and mental performance skills. The ICSI group had an average IQ of 112, compared with 107 for the others.

Couples seeking IVF are older than average, with a history of fertility failures, and it is thought that they may devote extra attention to their children.